In a bid to counter Russia and China's advancements in hypersonic weaponry, the United States and Japan have announced a joint effort to develop a new missile interceptor system, investing over $3 billion into the project.
The Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) project, slated for completion by the 2030s, will see Japan contributing $1 billion towards its development.
The initiative stems from an agreement reached between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August 2023.
The primary objective of the GPI is to intercept hypersonic missiles during their vulnerable glide phase, just before they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere from space.
It is a crucial step in bolstering defense capabilities against advanced weapons technology.
The Pentagon has hinted that the GPI system is likely to be integrated into Japan's future ASEVs (Aegis System Equipped Vessels), part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The Aegis system, originating from the US, specializes in countering short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
This collaborative effort comes as the US faces challenges in catching up with Russia and China's advancements in hypersonic weapons technology.
Hypersonic vehicles and missiles, capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, present a formidable threat on the battlefield.
Following the termination of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002, the US shifted focus towards developing anti-ballistic missile interceptors.
In response, Russia revived plans from the 1980s to develop hypersonic weapons, aiming to bypass traditional missile defense systems.
Similarly, China has been at the forefront of hypersonic weapon development, aligning with its strategy of leveraging long-range missiles as a countermeasure to US military superiority.
The collapse of the ABM Treaty in 2002 marked a significant shift in global defense dynamics, prompting nations to explore new technologies and alliances to address emerging threats in the modern era.
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